Betances has been on the DL since late August with shoulder tendinitis. It’s not supposed to be serious, but with the minor league season over this move makes sense to open up a roster spot. He is still expected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League in a couple of months.

Speaking of activating players off the 60-day DL there are two players who could also be activated this week – Brett Gardner and David Aardsma. In order to do that they would have to designate one or two players for assignment and risk losing them and realistically there aren’t a lot of options.

I would like to see them DFA Derek Lowe if they are going to cut ties with anyone. After him the options include lefty Justin Thomas, potentially Chris Stewart, or Steve Pearce or Casey McGehee. With Mark Teixeira still out though Pearce seems unlikely. Honestly, if he’s just going to be a pinch runner/defensive specialist it’s probably not worth it to activate Gardner.